Coin-operated vending machine



March 3, 1931.

` c. F. KURTZ COIN OPERATED VENDING MACHINE Original Filed Nov.1l, 1927Z'Sheets-Sheet l March 3,1931. F, KURTZ 1,794,856

com OPERATED VENDING MACHINE origirlal F1119J Nov. 11, 1927 2Sheets-shee1 2 Y 1 N I@ tu O7? 27632717/ 7% 9M ff W 19% I Patented Mar.3, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES F. KURTZ, or RoCKIsLAND,ILLINOIS, AssiGNoR OF ONE-HALF rro I-I. E. LONG] 1 or ROCK ISLAND,ILLINOIS COIN-OPERAIED VENDING MACHINE original application fiieaNovember 11, 1927, serial litojazaazsa. Divided and this applicationined' February 25, 1929.

This invention relates to coin operated vending machines, and thesubject matter of this specification has been dividedl out of my pendingapplication forpatenton coin opera-ted vending machines, filed November11, 1927, under Serial No.` 232,522.

The present invention has particular reference to coin operated vendingmachines of the type in which a series of packages is supported on aninclined plane in such manner as'to feed automatically towards adischarge opening, and, in some cases, the column of Vpackages will bearagainst the lowermost lmentioned which are electrically controlledarises from a tendency of the mechanism to act too rapidly after beingset in motion, so that thereis `danger of the parts returning to normalposition before the desired functions have been fully carried out andthe actuating coin freed fromv the chute in which it is temporarilyheld. Anotherobject of thefin-.

vention Vis to retard the action of the various mechanisms and prolongthe cycle of operations tosuch an extent thatV all ofthe parts will havetime to fully operate.V This is ac` complished in part by twoelectricmagnetic systems, one of which is actuated by a coin whereby the secondis energized and the force thereof employed for operating the packagereleasing mechanism and resetting'y the various mechanisms. Y Anotherobject ofthe in-yy ventionV is to provide electrically operatedmechanismv for the release ofthe lowermost of the series of packages andcause a'positive discharge thereof, which will act as a barrto the neXtsucceeding package in the column.

Other objects andadvantages will appear in the course ofthespecification, and with said objects and advantages in View, this inSerial No. 342,366.

i vention consists in theseveral novelV features l which- Figure l is aplan of a coin operated vending machine embodying a simple form of thepresent invention with the cover plate anda certain partition removed toshow parts that n would otherwise be hidden from view;

Fig. 2 is a plan of the primary switch mechanism v and the electromagnetcontrolled thereby, showing the switch closed; i Fig. 3 is a plan of theparts seen in Fig. 2 with the switch open, y p

Fig. t is a view partly in side elevation and partly in verticallongitudinal section, of the parts seen in Fig. 1, the line of sectionbeing indicated at 4 4 in Fig. 1; y

Fig. 5 is a detail cross section taken on th line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan of certain actuating mechanism for thepackage releasing device and showing the parts in their Vnormal orinactive position; and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of theelectrical'connections employed inthe machine. Referring to said drawings, the invention is illustrated inits simple or unitary form,

but two or more units can be vcombined in a multiple form of thedevice,if desired, said units being enclosed within a casing of suitablesize, and used for dispensing different kinds of confections, or forseveral packagesr of the same kind, or for dispensing other smallarticles of merchandise. l y Y As illustrated 1n the drawings,the'mvention iscontained within a casing comprising a pair of sides1,'ends 2 and 3, a iioor 4, and Y va top 5, preferably composed ofglass.:V The operative parts of the 'device are shown in A Figs. l and2in an intermediate position oc.g cupied after a coin has beenintroduced andl the operative parts ofthe 'mechanismmoved' to a positionin which the lowermostpackage is being discharged. Y Supported in spacedrelation with the top 5 is a partition 6 form-y ing the bottom of apassage or .chute 7 of suitable dimensions to kcontain a series ofpackages of the kindito be yended by the ma L is a guard frame 1Tswingngly supported at a, said frame forming the inner side of theplunger 2d chine. A number of such packages are indicated at 8 rand mayconsist of rolls oi mints or other confections, packages of gum, orother small articles of manufacture.

'llliecasing is designed to be supported in an inclined position, asindicated in Fig. ll, with a suicient slope to cause a ready movement bythe torce or gravity of the packages towards a threat t at theV lowerchute. Below the throat 9 an angleplatc 10 which `forms the bottom of apocket into which the lowermost package drops, Vwhen permitted to do so,and below the pocket is a discharge chute 11 leading to a dischargeopening 12 in the end 3 of the casing.

Slidable on the upper part of the angle plate 10 is a plunger V13, tothe ends of which are attached the ends or" a trame 1li, saidV iframeends being united by a bar pass g beneath the bottom ot the chute yllheupper plate of the plunger 13 is slidable beneath an angle plate l5, onetace ot' which forms one side of the throat 9. Space@ i the plungerpocket when the parts ar in a normal position, but which is movedbackward from the position seen in Fig. 4 during the remainder of themovement of the plunger in disch arging a package from the he ends oillthe guard frame are engaged by pins 19 Vcarried by the ends of the'frame11i, which pins hold said guard Jira Aein its proper relation o theplunger and prevent snrreptitious moval et the lowermost package.llorinally the plunger occupies a position in ad of the shown, wherebythe lowerniost package ialls into the pocket between the plunger 13 andguard frame 17.

lvlounted on the tloor il is a supp r' g bracket i6, to the upper partof which is pivoted a plate 18, as at 25, one corner ot said plate1being connected to the plunger acti... ing 'trame lll by means et alink 20. v with said plate 18 is a coupling 22, anc p ojecting from oneend of said plateris a r 3 connected by link 2e with the opposite cornerof the plate 18 as at c.

Secured on the licor e isa solenoid containing a cylinder 25u in whichis a slidable @n the outer end o1" said plunger is a collar 27 engagedby a fork on the end olf aV lever 28 tulcrumed as at al on a bearingbracket mounted on the Hoor. The other end of thelever 28 is connectedby a link 29 with a-lever 30 tulcrumed at e and pivotally connected withthe coupling 227 above referred to. Said. leversV 28 and 30, to-`getherwith the associated parts, are held inV their normal position withthe plunger 28 extended by means of a coiled spring 31.

The solenoid 25 being electrically energized, the plunger 26 is drawninwarc ly an intermediate position or which is illustratec in thedrawings) thereby swinging the levers end of the 28 and 3G in adirection to move the coupling 22 in the same direction as the plungeris moved. rlfhe movement orn saifl coupling is imparted through the rod23 and plate 18 to the plunger actuating frame 14C, thereby moving saidtrame and therewith the plunger 13 downwardly and inwardly beyond theposition shown in the drawings. rlhe plunger forces ahead of it 'thelowermost package contained in the pocket and said package moves theguard frame 17 inwardly until the passage is cleared permitting thepackage to drop into the chute 11 from which it is discharged by its ownmomentum.-V M

ln the package discharging.movement of lle plunger 13, the upper platethereof closes he throat 9 thereby forming a support and o structionr tothe next succeeding package in the column. rlhe plunger being returnedto 1i `s normal position, this last mentioned package drops into thespacebetween the plunger and trame ready to be discharged in its turnwhile another package is tipped into an inclined position in the throat.rllhis latter package receives the bulk ot the pressure eX erted by thecolumn of packages in the chute, and, consequently, the one which is Vinposition to be cischarged is not affected thereby. rlhere vis little orno interference with the plunger 13 in its movement for discharging thepackage. l

T ieend of the cylinder 25a is preferably closed, the cushion ot airtherein operating to retard` the movement of the plunger 26 andcorrespondingly prolong the duration of the movement oft-the coupling 22and parts connected thereto. rlhis willde'i'er the operation of themechanism VJfor returningthe va- Y at the lower end or" which the coincomes in contact with one arm ot an angle plate pivotally supported asat f. The other arm of said angle plat isin engagement with a slideplate 37, Vcarrying' a pair of switch terminals 38 adapted `for contactwith stationterminals '39 mounted on -aframe 40.

The contact of theV coin with the angle plate causes a movement of theplate .37 from the position shown in to that Vshown in Fig. g Y2,thereby closing the switch of the circuit through an electrical systemin which is containedan -electromagnet 41 in proximity to whichis`su-ppnted armature 42,' pivoted g on a postiixed in theV floor 4. Fixedto the armature is a spring, on the end of whichv is contact 46,normally out or" contact with a terminal t7 electrically connected withthe `solenoid 25. The switch 38-39 being closed and the magnet 41energized, the arsuch position.

is provided with an extension 51 in the end.

of which is` a set screw 52 bearing against a block 53 on one end of aslide bar54 which is slidably mounted in brackets supported by the Hoor4. Pivoted on the floor as at is `a bell crank lever 55, one of the endsof which is connected by a rod 56 with the coupling 22, and the votherend with the slide bar 54. At the latter part of the linward movement ofthe plunger 26, the lever '55 is operated to cause the slide bar 54 tomove in a direction to force the catch 48outwardly (see Fig. 3),

permitting the return of the armature 42 to an open position. Y p

The movement ofthe slide bar 54 also causes a push plate 57 supportedthereby Vto dislodge the coin from the lower part of the chute, forcingit sideways therefrom and into a discharge chute 58, from which itpasses downwardlyjinto a box 59, removably supported beneath the floor4. -YThe push plate 57 also blocks the passageof a second coin thatmight have been introduced intoV y the coin slot, and prevents-the samefrom functioning until the first coinfis deposited in the box and themechanism re-set for an.

other operation. The slide bar 54 also carries an arm60, the end ofwhich engages a llug on the side plate 37, operating the same in adirection to release the switch Vpoints 38-39 coincidently with therelease'of the coin, and just precedingv the release of the catch 48.

rlhe coin chute contains a yslot 62 of relatively less width than thediameter of the coin it is designed to use for operating the machine.For example,l if the established coin is a live' cent piece, and a onecent-piece is inserted in the slot 33', it will pass through the slot 62without affecting the machine.

By tipping the machine into a vertical posi# tion, a coin of any sizethat. will enter the coin slot will drop straight` down against theangle plate 36 and operate the machine.

To prevent such operation, `a wire guard 63 is pivoted at one side ofthe coin chute, and provided at its outer end with a weight 64. When thecasing is supported in a vertical position, said weight will swing theguard into position with the bent end thereof projected into thepassageway of the coins,

so as to intercept the movement of any coin entering the chute. As thecasing is returned Y to anfinclined position the weight swings the guardupwardly permitting the coin to resume vits course. VIf the interceptedcoin is one of the regular ones for operating the machine it passes ondown the chute into Contact with the angle plate 3.6. If it 1s ofsmaller size it drops through the slotv 62 as before mentioned Toprevent accidental release of a package, such as might be causedbyshaking the machine to such an extent as vto operate some of theparts,a lock is provided forthe plunger 26 consisting of a catch 65pivoted at z' and adapted for engagement with the outer iiange of thecollar 27 when the plunger is at its extreme outer position, as shown inFig. 6. This engagement is made positive by means of a coiled spring 66interposed between said catch and the side of the casing. Near said Ycatch an L-shaped lever 67 is pivoted, as at le,

said lever having an upwardly turned varm 68, which bears against theinner faceof the catch 65. The short arm ofpsaid lever is connected by arod 69 with a plate 7 0 fixed to the armature 42 so as to project beyondthe pivotal point thereof. The initial movement of the armature is thusimparted through the rod 69 and lever 67 to thecatch 65 to release thesame from engagement with the plunger, and permit the same to function.yThe timing Vof the devices is such that the catch's releasedjustpreceding the contact of the terminals ,46 and 47 by meansof whichcircuit for the solenoid is closed. Upon the armature being disengagedfrom the magnet 4l,`thel lever 67 is again` moved to wit'hdra'wthe arm68 ico and permit'the reengagement of the catch 65 p with the plunger 26when the latter is moved y Y outwardly again.

The arrangement ofthe electricalk system is substantiallyas laid out inFig. 7 the wires A and B indicating main lines which are connected with asource of electrical energy, not

shown in the drawing. From the wire B a wire C extends to the solenoid25, from which another wire D leads to the terminal 47. f

From'the wire C a wire E leads to the switch points 39 and the terminals38 are 'connected by a wire F with the magnet 4l. Another wire G leadsfrom said magnet to the wire AA and the Contact 46 is alsoy yconnectedwith the last named wire. Y

The cycle of operation is as follows: `Upon a coin,` being inserted inthe slot 33, it i i passes downwardly and strikes against the angleplate 36 closing'the switch points 3839, whereby the magnet k41isenergized and actuates the armature 42. This'movement of the armature 42releases the catch 65 and closes the contact points 46'and 47,

25. Y This results in the operation of the package discharging devicesthrough the action of the levers 28 andV 30. i The solenoid beingenergized, the plunger is drawn up- *thereby closing a circuit throughthe solenoid wardand nearthe end of the movement of the plunger,the-slide bar 54 is moved far enough to discharge the coin from the coinchute, ogpeii the switch points 38-39 and release the catch e8 (seeVFig. 3) permitting the return of the armature l2 to its originalposition, and thereby breaking'the Contact between the contact pointsland 47 of the solenoid. Y

Upon the plunger 26 moving outwardly again, the rod 56 is again movedforwardly rockingthelever and returning the slide bar 54 to an inoierative osition see Fie. 2

lVhile Vthe complete cycle of movements appears to. be performedinstantly, there is a brief interval between the several movements whichgives a retarding eect thereto, and provides ample time for allof theparts to act in theirdesired sequence. rlhis is aided by the retardedmovement of the plunger 276 against the air-cushion, above referred to.They inward movement of the plunger 26 from the position shown in Fig. 6past that seen in Fig. 1 isimparted to the package dischargingplunger-13 through its connections with the plunger 26, and the plunger13 is thereby moved backwards and downwards thereby discharging thelowermost package fromthe pocket into the chute 11. Upon the outer orreturn movement of the plunger 26,

the ackaofe discharginoA lunfrer 18 is returned to its normal position,thereby permittinganother package Ato fall into the space between theVplunger 13 and guard plate 17.

The inclined position in which the casing f is held not only aids in themovement of the packages therein, but italso places such packages in aconvenient position for display r Y lVhile the invention has been setforth herein for use in dispensing packages of a smaller type, it may beadapted for the automatic sale of larger packages, of a uniform shapeand size, such as bread, breakfast said dispensing mechanism, anelectric system for said solenoid having normally open terminals, anelectromagiiet, the armature of v which is arranged vto close saidterminals, an

electric system for said electromagnet having a coin operated electricswitch mechamsm, and switch opening mechanism for said electric switchoperatively connected to the plunger of said solenoid.

2, A device of the Yclass described comprising a solenoid including aplunger reciprocating therein, mechanism actuated by said plunger,connections between said plunger and said mechanism to impart triemovements of the plunger to said mechanism, an electric system for Vsaidsolenoid having normally open terminals, an electromagnet, the armatureof which is arranged to close said terminals, :1n-electric system forsaid electroinagnet having a coin operated electric switch mechanism, aspring actuated catch arranged to engage said armature and hold the samein its attracted position, and a catch disengaging4 member actua-ted bysaid electric switch mechanism.

of the plunger to said mechanism, an electric system for said solenoidhaving normallyV open terminals, an electromagnet, the armature of whichis arranged to close said terminals, an electric system for saidelectromagnet having a `coin operated electric switch mechanism, a latchengaging the plunger of said solenoid when in normal position, and latchdisengaging means operatively connected to said armature. v

4. A. device `of the classV described comprising a solenoidmechanism'for actuating dispensing` mechanism and including a movableelement and an electric system connected with said solenoid andhavingnormallyopen terminals ,causing an open; circuit in said system,an ,electromagnetic system with a normally open switch and an armatureoperatively connected with one ofsaid terminals to close said terminalsupon the initial movement thereof, coin controlled devices adapted toclose said switch, a spring controlled-catch for said armature, aVmovable member adapted for the Vrelease thereof, connections between themovable elementof said solenoid mechanism and said releasing member tomove said, member and thereby release said catch at the` end of theinitial movement of said element, and connections between said movablemember and said switch lto open the same coincidently with Y the releaseof the catch. e Y Y` 5, A device of the class described comprising asolenoid mechanism for dispensing mechanism and including aV movableelement, an electric system connected therewith and having normally openterminals causing an open rcircuit in the system, an electromag- `neticsystem with a normally open switch and an armature operatively connectedwith said terminals to vclose the same upoirthe initial movement of thearmature, f a `coin Y chute and coin controlled mechanism operativelyconnected with said switch tol close the same, a movable bar and coindischarge supported thereon at the inner end of said coin chute, an armonv said bar adapted to operate said switch to open the same, and

means between said movable element of the solenoid mechanism and saidbar to actuate the same near the end of the movement of said element.

6. A device of the class described comprising a solenoid mechanism andmovable element thereof for dispensing mechanism, an electric systemconnected with said solenoid mechanism and provided with normally openterminals causing an open circuit in said system, an electromagneticsystem with a normally open switch and armature capable of closing saidterminals'upon beingoperated, a catch for said armature to hold the samein contact with the magnet, a coin chute and mechanism for receivingvthe impact of a coin and closing said switch, a movable bar operativelyyconnected with the movable element of the solenoid adapted for therelease of said catch, a coin discharge supported by connected with theslide bar, and a lever system connecting said rod with said plunger tomove the rod in the same direction as the plunger. n

v In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 22d day ofFebruary, 1929.

CHARLES F. KURTZ.

said movable bar, and a connection between l said bar and said switch toopen the same upon the bar being actuated coincidently with the releaseof said catch and discharge of the coin.

7 In a device of the class described, including dispensing mechanism, asolenoid apparatus for operating said dispensing mechanism including aplunger movable in saidl solenoid, an electric system connected withsaid solenoid normally open, an auxiliary electric system including amagnet and armature, a spring actuated catch engageable with saidplunger to hold the same in inactive position, and connections betweensaid catch and armatureto release the catch upon the initial movement ofthe armature.

8. A device of the class described comprising dispensing mechanism, asolenoid mechanism and plunger for actuating said dispensing mechanism,an electric system for said solenoid and terminals therein, normallyopen, an electromagnetic system including a magnet andarmature therefornormally `out of contact with said magnet and operativelyv connectedwith said terminals to close theY same, a switch in said last namedsystem, normally open, a spring controlled catch for the armature, acoin chute and mechanism in proximity thereto operable by the impact ofa coin and operatively connected with said switch to close the same, aslide bar capable of the release of said armature catch, a coin pusher'supported by said slide bar, a connection between said slide bar andswitch adapted to open the same upon the initial movement of the slidebar, a rod in parallel relation withthe solenoid plunger connected atone of its ends with a lever operatively ias

